Businesses across Bath and North East Somerset are being offered the chance to take part in a group buying scheme to invest in solar panels and battery storage.
The scheme, which is also open to residents, offers a way to save money and cut carbon emissions by investing in solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) charge points.
These will enable businesses and households to produce their own energy and maximise how much of it they can use themselves, so reducing their dependence on electricity from the grid.
More than 1,500 households registered their interest in Phase 2 of the Solar Together West of England scheme Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES), and 290 accepted a quote for installation.
The council is taking in Phase 3 of the scheme, delivered with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and independent experts in group-buying iChoosr,
B&NES cabinet member for climate emergency and sustainable travel, Cllr Sarah Warren, said: “The Solar Together group buying initiative has proved extremely popular with B&NES property owners as it enables them to benefit from lower-cost solar panel installations by pooling demand to secure competitive prices.
“One of the key priorities to achieve our aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030 is a rapid and large-scale increase in local renewable energy generation and those property owners who take part will be able to make the switch to renewable energy while supporting that ambition.”
To register for the scheme, businesses need a roof that could take up to 25 panels.
Registration is free. Property owners provide details about their roof size and orientation and approved solar installers will submit bids for the work.
The most competitive offer wins and property owners will be sent costs and specifications for their system, but there is no obligation to proceed to installation.
If owners accept, the installer will arrange a survey of the property roof and set an installation date. The aim is to complete all installations within six months of an offer being accepted.
For more information on how the scheme works, visit the council’s Energy at Home website.
Solar panel installations are considered ‘permitted development’ and generally do not need planning permission. For properties in a conservation area or listed buildings, visit the Planning pages of the council website, email development_management@bathnes.gov.uk or call 01225 394 041.
